Tune in on Friday to see a report on the spectacular Tiree Wave Classic Continue reading
Tag Archives: windsurfing
Skykon and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue sponsor star events on Tiree & Coll
The spectacular annual Tiree Wave Classic international windsurfing event Continue reading
Nominations for ForArgyll Awards – as at 20.00 24th December
Yes – we know we said next update would be after nominations close at midnight – but so much has been happening. Next and last update WILL be 0015 – and that will be the final list of contenders. Continue reading
Tiree Wave Classic – Skye wins Pros
The first bouts of action were with the Pros – see last night’s item (headlined with the surprise Paolo Nutini gig) for the elimination Leader Board and the series of one-to-ones to be sailed today.
John Skye has just (18.00) won the Pros, beating Phil Horrocks in the last elimination. See below for the sequence of eliminations sailed today and produciing this result.
- Jack Hunt beat Chris Audsley
- James Cox beat Timo Mullen
- Chris Murray beat Rich Potter
- James Cox beat Jack Hunt
- James Cox beat Chris Murray
- James Cox beat Jamie Hancock
- Ben Proffitt beat James Cox
- Phil Horrocks beat Ben Proffitt
- John Skye beat Phil Horricks
Argyll’s First Tiree to Coll Adventure Race
Right in the middle of Tiree Wave Classic week is the Adventure Race from Tiree to Coll – run yesterday (14th October). It’s a sort of triathlon, starting with a run, then a windsurf over to Coll and finally a bike ride on the course of the Coll Half Marathon. Taxing or what?
Anyway – that was the plan but, like yesterday. although the sunshine island lived up to its name, the wind stayed home.
The run was no problem – three miles on wet sand out and back on Crossapol beach. One of the cameramen at the event stood in for Timo Mullen who’s nursing the aftermath of a knee operation. The stand-in, would you believe, just pipped Will Wright from Tiree into second place.
Will bikes, runs, windsurfs and teaches it to young Tiree rookies. He’s also married to Becky, who runs her firm Rebecca Wright Jewellery from Tiree and is half of seductive island shop, Chocolates and Charms. Becky was one of the final three on the shortlist for the Argyll 2009 Yong Entrepreneur of the Year, run by the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). (This was won by Philip Price of LIch Visions – a wildlife photography business on Loch Awe.)
Anyway – on to the windsurfing leg of the Adventure Race – or not. John HIbbard, Alan Jackson and Rich Jones were the hot tips and the three of them with seven others were in the line up. BIg kit was the order of the day – virtually no wind so daggerboards, 8 metre sails and Konas.
They did a couple of short races:
- about a mile out to an offshore boat and back, won by Alan Jackson
- two miles or so from Crossapol to Gott Bay, won by Simon Brook.
Nobody could plane so the big boards were way out front.
Last heard and with so little wind, the event organisers were talking about taking the competitors over to Coll by boat. While this wasn’t the plan, it may be the only option. They and Coll are expecting the 11 mile mountain bike ride around Coll’s Haf Marathon track. We’ll let you know the final result as soon as we have it. The after-party in Coll last night clearly stopped our reporter in his tracks.
Good news for the event, though, It fits perfectly into Tiree Wave Classic Week and the pros like the format. They’re planning to train properly for it next year and will bring the appropriate big kit with them. This pone should – literally – run and run.
Tiree Wave Classic: (no) Action Monday 13th
One of the huge advantages of Argyll’s Tiree for a competition like this is that, as a small island out in the Atlantic, it has beaches with good waves on several coasts. This means that, generally speaking, you can find the wind and the swell somewhere. You just wait for the call to whatever beach has been selected as the most likely candidate for the day, head off and go to it.
This is all fine when there is wind – somewhere. There are days when this just ain’t the case. Like today. Started off with nothing at all. The Skippers briefing meeting at 9.30am went to 11.30am and then to 12.30pm. At 2.00pm the wind made a showing and the call was for Balephuil, with the wind there cross to a bit offshore – before it went fluky and then – around 4.30pm – died. Duncan Coombes, the Head Judge called it quits at this stage so no competition today.
At least the day’s lay-off will have been a welcome break for Louise Emery, current leader of the Ladies, after one round. Louise has been resting a strained back sicne Saturday and was hoping to be OK for today. Now she’ll have a total of three days off.
Tomorrow is the big Tiree to Coll Adventure Race so the wave sailors will wait until Wednesday to get back into action. The forecast for Thursday and Friday is pretty good – winds NW and a good swell.
Here’s the Leader Board as it still stands – same as we published last night – but his will save you looking for the last news item to remind yourself how it is.
Pros after single elimination
- 1: John Skye
- 2: Phil Horrocks
- 3: Ben Proffitt
Ladies after ONE round
- 1: Louise Emery
- 2: Sarah Bibby
- 3: Sarah Finney
Masters after TWO rounds
- 1: Dave Edminston (Big Davey)
- 2: Keith Shorrocks
- 3: Nigel Treacy
Amateurs after TWO rounds
- 1: Ian Gibson
- 2: Scott McDowell
- 3: Sam Darkin
Tiree Wave Classic – Day 1 and results
The Tiree Wave Classic is a long established event in world windsurfing and the longest running in the UK. This year’s event looks something of a collectors’ piece. The weather forecast is suitably impossible. There’s a really substantial prize pot. There’s a great turnout – most of the UK pros are gathered on Argyll’s small island and are having fun with some top sailing in what is said to be the ‘biggest swell in 2 years’. This may be the equivalent of ‘the one that got away’ stories but they’re swearing to mast-and-a-half high waves.
The action started at lunchtime (11th October). Conditions were good with cross-shore wind from the right and head-high waves in the sets. The event organisers report that gusting wind was difficult for jumping, leaving the judges really only looking for wave rides. The best waves were said to be giving three or four turns down the line with powerful top turns and aerials giving the best scores.
Weather forecast for the rest of the week is for a lot of wind – promises well.
Results: Women
- 1st: Louise Emery (three times UK women’s champion)
- 2nd: Sarah Bibby
- 3rd: Sarah Finney
Results: Masters
- 1st: Keith Shorrocks
- 2nd: Dave Edminston – ‘Big Davey’ (current champion – expect a fightback)
- 3rd: Nigel Treacy.
Results: Amateurs
- 1st: Sam Darkin (great strategic performance)
2008 Tiree Wave Classic
The Sunshine Isle is celebrating the return of the Tiree Wave Classic, which is definitely on again this year. The dates have been confirmed as Saturday 11th to Saturday 18th October. This is one of the most challenging windsurfing events in the UK, likely to attract over 700 visitors to the island. There will also be a dedicated half hour television programme. Estimated to generate £1 million for the local economy, the event is the island’s biggest economic driver of the year.
The Professional Windsurfers Association World Cup event has still to be confirmed but the UK event will be going ahead. Competitors and visitors can look forward to:
- a substantial prize fund for the Pros
- amazing prizes and goody bags for all other fleets
- foodie theme nights from An Talla Hall
- plenty of discos and the odd ceilidh
Everything is free for competitors.
Organisers are expecting a big amateur fleet alongside the Pros and the event’s website offers information on accommodation and travel – including advice not to book your ferry until CalMac have confirmed new discounted fares on the Oban to Tiree route (due early September).
Windsurfer rescued at Loch Leven
A windsurfer who had fallen off his board and got separated from it has been rescued by Clyde Coastguards in Loch Leven, west of Ballachulish. The Glensanda Quarry boat, MV Lady Fiona, assisted in the search launched by an onlooker who spotted him struggling in the water. The man had no injuries but was suffering from hypothermia and has been airlifted to Belford Hospital at Fort Willam.